5 Cebu boxers advance in "Tuna Boxing Festival

The M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF)-Cebu City Boxing Team sent five pugilists to the second round, but two of its bets crashed out of the 2006 Tuna Festival "Bakbakan sa Gensan" amateur boxing tournament at the General Santos City gym.

National Youth Open gold medallists Jojo Ouano and Joseph Von Miñoza launched MLSDF-Cebu City's championship campaign on a bright note by pulverizing their respective opponents.

Ouano handily dismantled Romeo Demape of Koronadal, South Cotabato in the 42 kgs. division, while Minoza forced Ronnel Jabil of North Cotabato into retirement early in the fourth round of their 61 kgs. duel.

The other MLSDF-Cebu City combatants who marched into the next round were Edcel Tuñacao (46 kgs.), Marjohn Yap (48 kgs) and Norbeto Taño (44 kgs.).

Tuñacao pounded Jun Ryan Cubillan of Digos, Davao del Sur, Yap whipped Herbet Torres of South Cotabato, whileTaño mauled James Hijari of Saranggani Province.

It was not all joy for MLSDF-Cebu City as its 39 kgs. entry Eddie Boy Aviar and 32 kgs. prospect KJ Pelayo suffered stunning defeats.

Aviar lost by decision to Elmor Magale of Digos, while Pelayo was beaten to the pulp by Junrey Capriano of Koronadal also on points.

Inspite of their setbacks, MLSDF-Cebu City head coach Peter Cuizon remains confident on their chances to take home the overall crown of the four-day slugfest sanctioned by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP).

"We still have a chance. Hopefully, we will go on to win the overall championship," said Cuizon.

The Cebuano boxers' participation in the event is being supported by MLSDF through the efforts of its executive director Eddie Ybañez, who will plane in for GenSan today to give the team the needed morale-booster.